Advancing Food Equity in South Hayward

Community-Led solutions that nourish health and build local wealth.

Our South Hayward Market is now a Eden Health District Project bringing 8 events during this Summer/Fall.

The Challenge 

South Hayward is a food desert. Many residents live more than a mile from a full-service grocery store, public transit is limited, and corner markets have limited fresh produce.  As a result, families face: 

  • Limited access to affordable organic foods 

  • Higher rates of diet-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension 

  • Rising food insecurity: 1  in  4 households is worried about their next meal* 

*Alameda County Community Food Bank, 2025

Our Community-Led Solution

We started by listening. After talking with over 1,300 South Hayward residents about what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s possible—we’re building real solutions together. 

We’re making sure people have access to food now like hot meals prepared by our partners at 5 Sikh Seva every week, while also working to transform the local food system itself. We're organizing for a system rooted in equity, shaped by community members, and connected to local, sustainable, and regenerative farms. 

This is about creating a future where everyone has access to healthy food and where local growers, food makers, and entrepreneurs can thrive. 

Some of the community-led projects coming to life right now include: 

Monthly South Hayward Market

In the summer of 2024, we teamed up with residents, the City of Hayward, Feed Hayward, and the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) to launch the first-ever South Hayward Market. Featuring over 30 local vendors, farmers, food makers, and artists, the market ensures every dollar spent supports our community and helps build local wealth.

We’re proud to keep listening and growing.

. The 2024 launch of the markets was so well received by the community that Eden Youth is excited to expand the South Hayward Market through the summer and fall of 2025, with monthly events that celebrate South Hayward’s creativity, culture, and resilience.

With gratitude, and a call to action.

We’re grateful to the Eden Health District for recognizing the need and seeing the value of these South Hayward Markets. Their support is making this year’s markets possible, and they are currently the only outside major sponsor helping bring this vision to life.

Now we invite others to join us. By sponsoring the South Hayward Market, you become part of a powerful movement for community health and local economic opportunity. Your partnership helps this resident-led effort grow stronger, deeper, and more rooted in equity and pride.

SPONSORED BY:

Thank you for your generous contributions

OTHER PROJECTS

Weekly Food Distribution  

Every week, our community center parking lot becomes a hub for hot meals, thanks to our partners at 5 Sikh Seva and Hayward Promise Neighborhood. We serve 300+ people each week and are growing. 

Community Fridge Project

We save good food from going to waste and keep our community fridge stocked so folks can grab what they need, when they need it. 

Community-Led Food Hub (In Progress)

In partnership with Feed Hayward, we’re building the infrastructure to connect local BIPOC farmers and food producers with buyers in Hayward—like schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and senior centers. This way, our institutions can buy fresh, local and sustainable food and directly support small businesses that reflect and serve our community.

Contact us

Jose Carlos Montesinos
Public Relations Manager

Ignacio Neri-Mora
Outreach Manager

Address
680 W Tennyson Rd
Hayward, CA 94541

Phone
(510) 887-1147